Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Innocent socialite Laurel Worthington had only met handsome tycoon Brett Matthews once before -- at their wedding! Then, a wager had meant a one-night marriage. Swept away by the romantic fantasy, Laurel had willingly surrendered her virginity to her sweetly seductive new husband.

But the self-made millionaire wondered if Laurel would ever have come back to him if she hadn't needed his help. He vowed they'd marry again -- and stay married! -- for the sake of their unborn child. But this time Laurel wouldn't marry for anything less than her husband's heart....

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Melissa McClone

267 books2,480 followers
I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, two daughters, son, dog and too many cats! I write "sweeter" contemporary romance novels for Harlequin and Tule Publishing.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
123 (55%)
4 stars
62 (27%)
3 stars
32 (14%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Tina J.
1,354 reviews174 followers
October 7, 2018
✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ 4.5-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

> > Judging a Book by its Cover < <
A young, pregnant woman stands facing a handsome young man with their foreheads touching and his hands cradling their unborn child. It’s a sweet cover that compliments the blurb.

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person

Socialite, Laurel, has just lost everything: her home, her finances, her sense of security. Finding out she was expecting after a fun and daring one-night wedding was the final thing to make or break her. Having nothing left in Chicago, she makes the three-day trek to Portland to connect with her ex one-day husband and father of her child. She needs a job and medical benefits but refuses to be a charity case or fall for the same entrapments that the Worthington women seemed so apt to.
Brett grew up in a single-parent household and never knew who his father was. He’d be damned if he allowed his child to grow up that way and the only way he can think to ensure that won’t happen is to make Laurel marry him. But when she refuses on the grounds of wanting independence, he convinces her he can help her –all the while hoping he’ll get her to change her mind.
I enjoyed Laurel’s character quite a bit and found myself getting frustrated with Brett’s thick-headedness at times… though I can see he meant well. Their ability to fully explain themselves and their standpoints and deeper feelings seemed to be major hurdles more than once.
The secondary cast was enjoyable. Cast interaction was great. Dialogue felt natural. The writing flowed smoothly and the plot was quite enjoyable; I did not want to put it down!
Predictability was low. The conclusion was perfect.
I loved the story and would readily recommend it to fans of Sweet Contemporary and Second Chance romances.
.
Rating: [PG] ~ Score: 4.425 ~ Stars: 4.5, if I could!
==========================
⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I purchased a copy of this book from Amazon and am voluntarily leaving unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐
Profile Image for Janine.
1,107 reviews28 followers
September 24, 2018
An inspirational friends to lovers story with a few twists and turns to keep things interesting.

What else could go wrong for Laurel Worthington? Her father left town with a younger woman taking Laurel’s trust fund money with him. Her mother took off to find another rich man to marry. And, Laurel was left penniless with idea of how to survive without her parents help. But the kicker was when Laurel found out she is pregnant, after a fake wedding with one of her friends, which ended with them spending the night together in a Las Vegas hotel room.

Brett Matthews had no idea his friend Henry’s yearly birthday event would have repercussions until Laurel showed up at his office asking for a job and telling him she was pregnant. Brett is a man of honor and wants to marry Laurel, but Laurel doesn’t want to marry someone like her mother and grandmother did, just to have a good life. Laurel wants to provide for herself and her child on her own. She just needs a little help getting started with her plan. That’s where Brett comes in. But, Brett has a plan of his own to win over Laurel. He will do anything to keep their child from growing the way he was raised, without a father. In the process of the plan, Brett and Laurel start to fall in love. But their road to love isn’t paved in gold. There are a lot of factors that almost tear them apart.

This was a fun read. It is a good clean romance with characters you can’t help but cheer on as the story progresses. I enjoyed getting to know Laurel and Brett and what drove them to who they had become. Their strengths, fears and concerns all added to the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a romantic story.
2,131 reviews46 followers
October 9, 2018
Laurel Worthingham and Brett Matthews were married On a lark. They spent one night together than they divorced. For Laurel it was a way to escape her disaster of a life. For Brett it was a way to be part of the rich and powerful elite. After their divorce they parted and went back to their regular lives. Suddenly everything changes Laurel is pregnant. She comes to Brett for a job. Can they became a family? I loved Laurel. Previously she was pampered but now she finds herself abandoned by family and friends. I was rooting for her to succeed. She is off to a rough start, but I loved how this woman is a fighter. She's a potent combination of strength and sweetness. She and Brett make a great couple. Brett grew up without a father so he wants to be a great dad. I loved him for that. However, I wish that he had approached Laurel in a straight forward manner with his hopes. These two make a dynamite couple. Their sweet dialogue is enjoyable and their chemistry makes me swoon. I fell in love with The Wedding Lullaby. Melissa McClone wrote a sweet romance that made me feel good. I loved the characters, the romance and the HEA. The One Night to Forever is a charming series.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Liz Sergent.
1,398 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2020
I really wanted to love Laurel and Brett, this story had so much promise however she was just annoying and he turned me off when he hired a private investigator. The best part was the ending so that gave it a 4th star, otherwise it was a 2.
Profile Image for Janine.
1,107 reviews28 followers
September 20, 2018
An inspirational friends to lovers story with a few twists and turns to keep things interesting.

What else could go wrong for Laurel Worthington? Her father left town with a younger woman taking Laurel’s trust fund money with him. Her mother took off to find another rich man to marry. And, Laurel was left penniless with idea of how to survive without her parents help. But the kicker was when Laurel found out she is pregnant, after a fake wedding with one of her friends, which ended with them spending the night together in a Las Vegas hotel room.

Brett Matthews had no idea his friend Henry’s yearly birthday event would have repercussions until Laurel showed up at his office asking for a job and telling him she was pregnant. Brett is a man of honor and wants to marry Laurel, but Laurel doesn’t want to marry someone like her mother and grandmother did, just to have a good life. Laurel wants to provide for herself and her child on her own. She just needs a little help getting started with her plan. That’s where Brett comes in. But, Brett has a plan of his own to win over Laurel. He will do anything to keep their child from growing the way he was raised, without a father. In the process of the plan, Brett and Laurel start to fall in love. But their road to love isn’t paved in gold. There are a lot of factors that almost tear them apart.

This was a fun read. It is a good clean romance with characters you can’t help but cheer on as the story progresses. I enjoyed getting to know Laurel and Brett and what drove them to who they had become. Their strengths, fears and concerns all added to the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a romantic story.
Profile Image for Christine Jensen.
320 reviews39 followers
October 4, 2018
A tacky wedding in Reno leads to some interesting consequences for Brett and Laurel. Brett is new money, Laurel comes from old money that has run dry. But they come together for one magical night, then go their separate ways. Laurel goes home to deal with her father's abandonment and her complete lack of funds; Brett goes back to leading a successful company while trying to break into the social circles of the long time wealthy families.

Laurel winds up pregnant, alone, and without a way to support herself, let alone a baby. In desperation, she takes a very long bus ride to find Brett and beg him for a job. He offers her one: his wife. Laurel doesn't want to marry just for the baby, so she insists on just working for Brett's company. Brett is determined to convince her that they should marry to be a family for their baby, so he sets out to make her work life difficult.

Both Brett and Laurel have a lot to learn about love and family, but together they just might make it.

Such a fun book! McClone writes such fun, sweet romance.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,937 reviews18 followers
September 19, 2019
Not only is the book a really great surprise baby story, but it’s also got the added twist of a opposites attract tale, too.
Brett is a self made man; he comes from humble beginnings but he’s worked hard to climb to the top of his field. Laurel comes from wealth and privilege, but has had a giant fall from grace, although she’s hiding it when she and Brett first meet and “marry”.
Each approaches their relationship and the coming blessed event differently. Brett doesn’t want his child to have the stigma of an absentee father as he did growing up. Laurel wants to provide for her child on her own; she doesn’t want to be pampered and sheltered, as that hasn’t worked out well in the past.
While I liked their story, I didn’t feel a lot of chemistry between them. Brett was a bit too pushy and didn’t give Laurel enough credit for trying to break out of the poor-little-rich-girl mold...one he labeled her with from the start.
Profile Image for James a Schmidt.
305 reviews2 followers
June 10, 2021
“The Wedding Lullaby (One Night to Forever Book 2)”

This book was marvelous! A prank,a wedding farce in Vegas,and an unplanned pregnancy made this book what it was,terrific!
Two people joined in a marriage they thought was fake,find out the birth control must have been fake as well,considering the woman was in his office,looking for a job,but he already knew about her pregnancy.She didn’t know he’d been keeping tabs on her,so knew all about it.Then they found out the wedding was real too! He agreed to finding her a job at his company,then taking her in until she found an apartment.
A lot of things happen after that,not the least being she found she couldn’t afford said apartment,so seemed to be stuck with him.
Anyway,this was a powerful book,proving love just might conquer all.
I really liked it and hope you’ll give it a chance!
Profile Image for Marie.
376 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2018
From riches to rags to riches again. Laurel Worthington trust fund child, learned no StreetSmarts, her bother took care of everything then he left.
She sold everything. This is what’s been going on for the last few months of her life. She excepted an invitation to a birthday party where she was the bride and married Brett Matthews for one night only.
There one night marriage in Reno resulted in Bliss for the both of them.
Now she has to face the reality of being broke, being pregnant she moves to Oregon where Brett lives and runs his own investment firm. She asks for a job even after Brett believes they should be married for real as the baby is his. The ups and downs of their relationship results in a wonderful happily ever after story.
Profile Image for Jane.
701 reviews10 followers
September 20, 2018
Top-Notch!! This was a wonderfully romantic story of two people who really needed each other but needed to let go of their pasts first. I fell in love with Laurel and Brett right from the beginning. Their story is thoughtful and sweet and makes you wanted to just stop and pause for a moment. It was thought provoking, sweet, entertaining and fun. This was the first book I read in this series and when I finished it I went and immediately purchased the first book so I could catch up and can't wait for the next story to come out!!
2,747 reviews20 followers
September 24, 2018
The Wedding Lullaby is an amusing, fun book centered around a pair of dice. Those dice changed the lives of Brett Matthews and Laurel Worthington forever. It is the story of two people trying to find themselves and denying the chemistry and sparks flying between them. I loved the characters, especially Laurel. She is very brave, strong, feisty, and stubborn. I loved the story and now I need to go back and read the first book in the series! I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
2,747 reviews20 followers
September 24, 2018
The Wedding Lullaby is an amusing, fun book centered around a pair of dice. Those dice changed the lives of Brett Matthews and Laurel Worthington forever. It is the story of two people trying to find themselves and denying the chemistry and sparks flying between them. I loved the characters, especially Laurel. She is very brave, strong, feisty, and stubborn. I loved the story and now I need to go back and read the first book in the series! I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
1,596 reviews12 followers
September 24, 2018
A wonderful contemporary read with unforgettable characters and a beautifully written story that included the right amount of emotion, humor, sweet and tender romance. I really liked the instant attraction and chemistry between Brett and Laurel and got so involved I didn't want this can't-put-down book to end. Ms. McClone never disappoints and I look forward to book three in her One Night to Forever series. I received an advance reader copy of The Wedding Lullaby and this is my voluntary and unbiased review.
Profile Image for Denise Stout.
Author 6 books45 followers
October 1, 2018
Laurel and Brett marry as a joke to celebrate a friend's birthday, but an unexpected surprise links them together forever. Down on her luck, Laurel asks Brett for a job, he wants to marry her for real, but she won't marry for anything else than love. Spending time together, going through a few ups and downs, and the closeness brings them together. But a misunderstanding could tear them apart. Will they find a way back to each other and open their hearts to forever?

Enjoyed this and recommend it highly!
Profile Image for Denise Stout.
Author 6 books45 followers
October 1, 2018
Laurel and Brett marry as a joke to celebrate a friend's birthday, but an unexpected surprise links them together forever. Down on her luck, Laurel asks Brett for a job, he wants to marry her for real, but she won't marry for anything else than love. Spending time together, going through a few ups and downs, and the closeness brings them together. But a misunderstanding could tear them apart. Will they find a way back to each other and open their hearts to forever?

Enjoyed this and recommend it highly!
1,528 reviews14 followers
October 16, 2023
I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. During a friend’s birthday party, Laurel Worthington and Brett Matthews were married as a joke. Their wedding night resulted in an annulment, but she ended up pregnant, in addition, her family is in turmoil over being bankrupt. With no money and no job skills, Laurel travels from Chicago to Portland to look up Brett hoping for his help. He does give her a job, and offers to marry her, but she refuses to begin with. A heartwarming book about love, standing on one’s own feet, and commitment.
1,382 reviews10 followers
September 15, 2018
I truly enjoyed reading this book!
It is an engaging story that started with
an crazy farce that happened every
year. With the roll of the dice, two people
are to get married for one day.
This was finally Brett's year!
He couldn't be more happy, that
his chosen bride is Laurel.
He has always liked her.
But, since they last saw each other,
life has drastically changed for Laurel,
& Brett's life is changing for the better.
I loved everything about the story!
A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!
2,316 reviews29 followers
September 24, 2018
I'll admit I didn't like how Laurel and Brett got together but they now have a forever connection. The story of how they fell in love after they are reunited I did like. These two are really each other's strengths - complement or complete each other. Brett's assistant was so funny - she needs her own book. It ended up being a sweet romance between two people who have more in common than they realize.
Profile Image for Shari.
1,901 reviews24 followers
October 12, 2018
A joke wedding for his best friend will leave lasting memories. Laurel is down on her luck and the only person she can turn to is baby's daddy, Brett. All she wants his a job but Brett wants more a wife and a baby. He will do anything to get Laurel to marry him but Laurel only wants to marry for love.

With many twists and turns do they finally end up as happily ever after couple. Loved how Brett would not give up on Laurel. This is a sweet clean romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Profile Image for Angie.
2,516 reviews3 followers
June 30, 2020
This was a sweet book! Laurel and Brett were in a fake wedding that ended up changing their lives. I really liked how Laurel decided to step up and change her life for the better when she hits bottom. Laurel goes to give Brett the life changing news and ask for a job when Brett surprises her and also helps her out. Laurel wants to prove she can stand on her own two feet and Brett learns a valuable lesson. Really enjoying this series!
62 reviews
February 19, 2022
Marriage the long way around

As I read this story I was mindful of my own stubborn and independent lover who, after twelve years of living together finally agreed to marry me over a dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant. It must have been something magic in the hot and sour soup. MaChone's books, besides being sweet romances, may bring romantic memories to marry couples. I handily ecommend her books to those people.
Profile Image for Valerie.
1,286 reviews3 followers
October 25, 2018
Judge me all you want, but I actually enjoyed this book. When I started, I thought it was going to be one I would have to quit reading because of content, but it is actually pretty clean, considering the plot. Stuff is implied, but again, the plot. I didn't read any details about this before reading but really enjoyed the little escape!
Profile Image for Deanna.
1,084 reviews19 followers
May 17, 2020
A fun read

A clean and sweet read. Two people learning that money isn’t everything. One has lost it all. The other keeps striving for more.

A wedding that was supposed to be just one night ends with a surprise package for the both of them. How they deal with this will effect the rest of their lives.
Profile Image for Pansy.
2,242 reviews24 followers
December 21, 2021
A sweet no frills romance. The twist with Henry's birthday bash was different, but then I have determined that Henry is different. I would like to read more of him. He sounds so fun. As for Lauren and Brett, took Brett long enough to wake up and smell the coffee. Sweet story with a satisfying conclusion, if it did seem a bit rushed.
Profile Image for C..
Author 32 books35 followers
February 14, 2024
Go Laurel!!

A very nice read with likeable characters. I'm a sucker for romance novels with a down and out female protagonist and this one was perfect. A bit of a jerk of a male protagonist who finally sees the light is also a favorite of mine and this book does happily ever after so well!
958 reviews
June 25, 2020
Truly Romantic

One night of a fake marriage and voila a baby is made. The way to true love is through the roll of the dice in Reno. Read this funny, simple love story by a master of story telling.
Profile Image for Esther Bos.
330 reviews
June 25, 2020
This is a short and sweet little love story that feels sort of like a fairy tale. An enjoyable light romance with some real life problems that needed to be worked out before the couple live happily ever after.
274 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2020
Smith

I absolutely love this book but it was kind of sad that she has no father or mother because they're too selfish. I'm glad she finally got her prince after all she had been through.
Profile Image for Debby.
2,014 reviews5 followers
October 7, 2024
What I really enjoyed, was Henry Davenport making several parts of this. Always good to see characters you know in a book. There were two others, but I won’t spoil it for another reader. Lovely sweet story!
805 reviews
October 9, 2018
This was pretty cute. It wasn't completely predictable and the ending was great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews